Next-gen iPhones may feature 4.7 and 5.5-inch displays

While some companies have gone wild with respect to smartphone screensize, Apple, in typical fashion, has taken a much more conservative approach. That, however, may reportedly change in light of a report that Apple's next-gen iPhone models will feature larger screens

While some companies have gone wild with respect to smartphone screensize, Apple, in typical fashion, has taken a much more conservative approach. All iPhone models up to the iPhone 5 featured a 3.5-inch display. With the iPhone 5, Apple made an ever so slight adjustment, giving the then-flagship device a 4-inch display.

While some devices have gone screen-crazy -- the Galaxy Note comes to mind -- Apple likes to tout the advantage of its relatively smaller screens insofar as they are more conducive to one-handed operation. That notwithstanding, bigger screen devices have proven to be very popular amonsgt consumers and Apple may soon be warming up to the idea.

According to a weekend report from Bloomberg, Apple is currently testing two iPhone models for possible release next year. What's interesting is that both of these models sport larger screens, 4.7 and 5.5 inches to be exact. Also of note is that these devices, rumor has it, will feature curved displays.

Two models planned for release in the second half of next year would feature larger displays with glass that curves downward at the edges, said the person, declining to be identified because the details aren’t public. Sensors that can distinguish heavy or light touches on the screen may be incorporated into subsequent models, the person said.

While there are disadvantage to larger screens (ease of use, weight etc.), there's no getting around the fact that many consumers are taken in by large displays. Keep in mind that Apple doesn't appear to be religiously tied to keeping its screen size as is indefinitely. Indeed, Tim Cook once said that larger screens would be more appealing if they didn't come with such big tradeoffs such as decreased battery life and a reduction in color accuracy.

At this point, the iPhone is a mature product. We've now seen 7 iterations of Apple's iconic smartphone and perhaps it is about time Apple start expanding its product lineup to include varying screen sizes.

As for the point that Apple's next-gen iPhones may feature pressure sensitive displays, well, that's admittedly a bit hard to make sense of.

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Yoni Heisler is a technology writer and Mac nerd who's been using Apple products for well over 21 years. He actively covers a wide variety of Apple topics, from legal news and rumors to current events and even Apple related comedy and history.